Kiwanis will hold second annual spelling bee April 4

In 1951, the year the Waynesville Kiwanis Club was formed, the winning word in the National Spelling Bee was "insouciant." Last year, it was "knaidal." How about "laodicean" from 2009? (Their meanings, respectively, are carefree, a Jewish dumpling and lukewarm.)

The words presented in the Kiwanis Club of Waynesville’s Spelling Bee won’t be as difficult but will probably be a lot more fun for the contestants and for the audience.

The fundraising event will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the First Methodist Church in Waynesville. Hardcore spellers, from high school seniors to senior citizens, will check their dignity at the door for bragging rights and laughs.

There will be no entry charge for family, friends and others who want to cheer for their favorite team of spellers. Hot dogs or a mashed potato "sundae bar," cookies, chips, and drinks will be available for purchase from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The bee will feature over 40, three-person teams of Waynesville’s leaders, teachers, business people and others who just love to put-I-before-e-except-after-c, all trying to out-spell the competition. The teams, their friends and their sponsors may donate additional money throughout the event by “purchasing” words they misspell so they can continue in the contest.

The spelling bee is important to members of the Kiwanis Club of Waynesville because all proceeds will go to support programs for the children of the community.

The emcee will be Kiwanis president John Franco and the words will be pronounced by Rex Hodge, WLOS TV channel 13 reporter.

"This is sure to be a fun night where all of Waynesville can come together and laugh at ourselves and each other as we show our spelling prowess (or lack thereof)," said Marti Peithman, co-chairperson of the Kiwanis Spelling Bee.